JESSICA HARRINGTON: Champion Hurdle remains on the cards for Freedom
He did everything right. He jumped out of the stalls, he relaxed really well and just sat there when they went a good gallop.
For a while it looked like the two in front were never going to come back; he was a long way out of his ground. But he just picked them off at his ease and went away.
I haven’t talked to connections yet but there is a chance that he will go back to the all-weather next Friday over a mile. It’s as good as working him. It might seem a very strange way to do things but I’m happy with it.
I didn’t put Steps into the County Hurdle as I thought it might be too much hustle and bustle for him but if the ground turns good he might well turn up in the Champion Hurdle.
At his best and in his best conditions, he could run a very big race and get in the frame. I certainly couldn’t be happier with him at the moment.
And I’m happy enough that the ground is going the right way. I will definitely have more runners over the next few weeks than has been the case the last month or so, as I’ve never seen the ground drying like it has this week.
I’ve gone from sloshing around in mud at Commonstown to chain-harrowing and rolling the field. They’re suddenly talking about watering at Cheltenham!
I’ve only to a couple representing the yard this weekend though. I was meant to have three but continuing from last week’s theme of how horses can get injured so easily, Annie Oakley looks like she’s cracked her pelvis during her last breeze yesterday morning. That’s part of racing unfortunately. Every time they go out, that can happen.
The two I do run are outside chances and really, they are both running in Graded events in the hope of sneaking some black type.
One Fine Day (1.00) is one of only five runners in the Grade 2 juvenile hurdle at Fairyhouse today. There are some talented operators in the race in Stockton’s Wing and Dogora but if she could snatch third, it would be very important for the filly.
The same applies for Madam Bovary (2.30) in the Grade 3 novice chase.
That has just six runners with Mikael D’Haguenet and Sweeney Tunes representing Willie and Gigginstown respectively. She was going very easily when she fell at Thurles last time.
It wasn’t even a mistake. She was jumping very well but just forgot to get the landing gear out. Again, it would be great if she could get be placed.
I took three young horses to Punchestown on Thursday and was very pleased with them. There was a filly and two geldings. The ground was quite tacky but they ran well and it was a very worthwhile trip. We will probably see them soon and I’ll tell you more about them then.
Right now, there’s no denying that the focus is on Cheltenham.
In terms of serious pieces of work, Jezki is going to do a bit on grass on Monday and will then do another couple of bits. There’ll probably be a quiet bit the following week and it’s ticking over after that until the Supreme.
The now traditional Leopardstown gallops will take place tomorrow week and while Jezki won’t go, I might bring some of the others.
As for Bostons Angel, he’ll be going hunting next Tuesday. There’s no way we’re going to change his routine now that he is flourishing in it.
There is a massive number of entries in the handicaps but until we get the weights we won’t know where we’re going with Jetson and Citizenship.
